Lakewood-Dallas - Dallas, TX

The beautiful wooded surroundings of this east Dallas neighborhood attracted residents early on. Among these early residents were the founders of the Lakewood Country Club, which entered the area at the turn of the 20th century. The 1930s represented an especially active period of growth for the neighborhood, and many of the area's historic homes, as well as Lakewood Theater, reflect this. It remains an upscale area for those who favor a comfortable way of life.

Though no museums serve the Lakewood-Dallas area, proximity to downtown Dallas makes it easy to visit spots such as the Dallas Museum of Art and Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The Dallas Arboretum also serves as a living museum in the area. Festivals such as the Lakewood Summer Arts Faire bolster the local arts scene. The neighborhood also hosts various holiday events year-round.

Foodies can rest assured that they have no shortage of restaurants to explore in the Lakewood-Dallas neighborhood. Whether in search of a donut shop or a bowl of pho in authentic Vietnamese style, the Lakewood restaurant scene has you covered. That same statement rings true for area nightlife as well. Find a place to pick up the best craft beer in town, a dive bar to rock out to your favorite rock and roll anthem, or a lush lounge where you can sit back and relax with gourmet fare and a glass of wine. Gaston Avenue, Mockingbird Lane, and commercial spots around the edges of White Rock Lake serve as prime spots to find area restaurants. Zuzu Fresh-Made Tex-Mex serves up a sampling of Mexican dishes such as the quesadilla platter. Try the steak quesadilla for some savory fare or the spinach quesadilla for a lighter option. Both come topped with fresh tomatoes and Mexican cream for an unforgettable flavor experience.

For a menu with plenty of options, consider The Grape Restaurant.This bistro sits on Greenville Ave and offers diners a sophisticated and cozy hangout. Aside from an expansive wine list, the Grape treats patrons to happy hour specials and occasional live music. Local favorites include the mushroom soup and mussels.

Whether dining out or ordering in for the night, Scalini's Pizza and Pasta dishes out some of the best pizza, pasta, and other entree options in the Lakewood area. For an alternative to the usual Italian fare try the chicken lasagna, layered with rich marinara and white wine cream sauce.

Bars in the Lakewood-Dallas area host music on occasion. However, music lovers find their haven at Lakewood Theater. A classic movie theater built in 1938 and still sporting its original, iconic art deco design, Lakewood Theater hosts movies, concerts and much more.

Wine lovers in Lakewood love spots such as Urban Vines Wine Bistro for a relaxing evening out, while sports-loving locals can be found at Pour House Dallas watching the big game on their multiple flat-screen TVs. Other popular bars in the area include the Ginger Man, Cosmo's Bar and Lounge, and the Balcony Club.

Those who move to the Lakewood-Dallas area soon find that most errands require the use of a car. While public transportation can be found by way of the DART bus and rail systems, they primarily offer service into the Dallas area and to neighboring suburbs as far away as Denton, about 30 minutes to the north. Those in need of a transportation alternative can call one of the many taxi companies that serve the area, or they can arrange a ride through Uber.

The Lakewood Theater parking garage presents the best option for public parking. As a primarily residential area, drivers find few other public options. Access to Interstate 75 by way of Mockingbird Lane makes it easy to reach the highway and interstate system around Dallas, another major convenience for drivers.

As with most of Dallas, the Lakewood-Dallas neighborhood does not cater to pedestrians. However, a select few sections may be walkable enough for residents to run basic errands. Lakewood has few bike lanes, so cyclists should use caution on most neighborhood streets.

The beautiful surroundings of Lakewood-Dallas make it the perfect spot for relaxing outdoors, as evidenced by the number of parks in the neighborhood. The most prominent of the parks, White Rock Lake, has numerous amenities including spots for boating and observing local wildlife. Tietze Park, Winfrey Point Park, and Lakewood Park also serve the Lakewood-Dallas neighborhood. Patrons can come to these parks to enjoy the athletics facilities or to have a picnic at their many tables and pavilions. You can visit all of Lakewood's parks for free.

Many of the parks, including Tietze Park and Winfrey Point Park, feature playgrounds that make for safe, kid-friendly play. Those who want a safe spot to let their four-legged friends run free can head to the dog park at White Rock Lake. Do you need a great place to work out? The parks have tons of trails for hiking and biking.

The White Rock Lake Festival, one of the biggest events in Lakewood-Dallas, features food trucks, great live music and more. Smaller events such movies in the park during the summer also occur throughout the year.

Residents can expect to have a somewhat higher cost of living in the Lakewood-Dallas neighborhood than in some other neighborhoods in the city of Dallas, though not as high as in areas such as downtown. The cost to travel via the DART system comes in at $5 for a daily pass, though regular commuters and travelers can find savings through the purchase of a weekly or monthly pass. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment sits at $942 per month. Meanwhile, for a night out at a local bar, expect to pay about $4 for a domestic draft or a little higher for a craft brew. Gas prices remain one area where residents can see big savings, as they come in at about 13 percent below the national average.

Various shops trade throughout the Lakewood-Dallas neighborhood, with the Lakewood Shopping Center serving as a central location for many area retailers. While plenty of great shops exist in Lakewood-Dallas, those in search of more upscale shopping can find better luck with a quick trip to nearby Northpark Center or the Galleria in Dallas. Poke around the shops located along Gaston Avenue for a look at some of their boutique and specialty stores.

Among them, shoppers can find Talulah Belle, a boutique specializing in fragrances, body products, accessories and much more. Talulah Belle even features pet products, including fashionable collars for your furry friends.

With antiques, incredible vintage items, and a range of other collectibles, a quick visit to Curiosities can easily turn into several hours spent perusing the shop's shelves. This antique store has a constantly rotating inventory of items, so every visit provides you with a unique new experience.

When it comes time to take care of the basic shopping needs, the Lakewood area has several grocery stores, including an Albertsons, Tom Thumb, Aldi and Whole Foods. For fruits, veggies, eggs, meats, and more great items fresh from the farm, a visit to the White Rock Local Market can fulfill all your shopping needs.